Rock Solid Roster
July 18th, 2024
Solid.
The closer we get to Opening Week, the more we will see NFL predictions and observations.
Several are out. Most are down on the Bucs.
Outside of Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield, there are not enough shiny objects to lure folks who normally don’t watch the Bucs. And no object is shinier than the quarterback, and we all know Baker Mayfield doesn’t have much street cred with folks outside of Tampa Bay and Oklahoma.
So because of that, scant national observers see or notice much on the Bucs roster to get excited about. But don’t count on Gregg Rosenthal in that group.
The long-time NFL.com columnist admits the Bucs don’t have many shiny lures floating near the surface but believes the roster is good enough, certainly to win the NFC South.
This is a rock-solid, if unspectacular, roster in the league’s shakiest division. There isn’t much talent separation between the Falcons, Saints and Bucs.
Joe thinks the “rock solid roster” was proven in the playoffs last year.
If the Bucs were so horrible as many of the #NFLMedia claim they were, then how the hell did they curb stomp the mighty Eagles, you know, from God’s gift to football, the NFC East?
How did the Bucs stay tied with the Lions on the road in the fourth quarter if the roster was so rotten?
Shoot, Joe thinks the Bucs were actually shackled most of the year. They could have been better.
But as Joe has mentioned, Mayfield likely will need another year or more of solid play before people forget the Mayfield of Stinking Panthers infamy.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:16 am
Including playoffs, Bucs finished 6-2 last year.
Other playoff teams who finished 6-2 or better- Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Rams
The Bar has been seto
July 18th, 2024 at 11:30 am
NFC South will be determined within itself. Any given day one of the 4 can win against the other. Even the Panthers.
As far as anything last year, it’s a new season, and everything is 0-0. Even the Raiders beat the Chiefs on Christmas Day and then KC ripped off 6 in a row and hoisted the Lombardi. That win and putting up 63 against the Chargers make Vegas no more likely to win their Division.
This year first one to 10 does not necessarily mean a Playoff spot.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:31 am
“There isn’t much talent separation between the Falcons, Saints and Bucs”
Except the Saints talent is REALLY OLD.
DID YOU KNOW?
Last year the Saints had the second oldest team. The Bucs had the #1 youngest team.
The Saints old players got older. The Bucs young players got better.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:39 am
I think it’s Bowles and Mayfield combo that makes the National guys not buy in. I don’t think they are the great but they certainly aren’t terrible, the guys on the team clearly love and play their asses off for both men. Let the national media keep fluffing the Falcons(who cares), Bucs win this division and their home playoff game again this year. Bowles’ defenses have kicked Kurt Cousins butt every time, the only time CC beat the Bucs was against Lovie. I think we can all agree Bowles is a vastly superior Defensive Coordinator than Lovie and there ain’t no Justin Jefferson on the Falcons.
Bucs over Falcons under, easy money.
LFG BUCS
July 18th, 2024 at 11:42 am
Can’t wait for the season. As usual Joe keeps it interesting during the off season. TX.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:45 am
SlyPirate –
Did not realize that about the Saints. Thanks for the info!
We did very well last season. This season should be even better. Around 23 days until our first preseason game!
July 18th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Good! It’s always an advantage to be the underdog. However, until we beat some of the highly vaunted teams, no one is going to give the Bucs any respect. Let’s just keep our heads down and wrack up the Ws.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:58 am
The Bucs could win the Superbowl this year and Mayfield wouldn’t see much of a bump in cred.
July 18th, 2024 at 11:59 am
Sometimes it is great being the underdog. Teams will not get as fired up when they believe their competition is subpar. I think the early teams that play against the Bucs will be in for a big surprise.
July 18th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
One obstacle we face is the fact the Falcons have the easiest schedule in the NFL.
With Saints in the top 5
July 18th, 2024 at 1:11 pm
A rock solid roster?
What about the DBs
What about the O-line?
What about the defensive ends?
What QB are we getting from Baker?
What about the running game?
July 18th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
NFC South just like last year is a 3 team race.
Just depends on how each team handles their flaws and improves their weaknesses
July 18th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
#AsToddEvolves 11-6 25ppg
July 18th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Dave Pear, I hope you’re right. I’d be ecstatic to come away with 11 wins this year. No way people would take us lightly coming into the playoffs at 11-6.
July 18th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
CALLING IT NOW! THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE SOUTHERN DIVISION CHAMPION TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, BEHIND FUTURE COACH OF THE YEAR TODD BOWLES, AND FUTURE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER BAKER MAYFIELD, ARE NOT ONLY GOING UNDEFEATED, THEY’RE GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL!!! IT’S GOING TO HAPPEN, THIS YEAR!! HOP ON THE BANDWAGON NOW WHILE THERE’S STILL SPACE!!! THIS IS THE YEAR OF PERFECTION!!!
#TEAMPOSITIVE!
July 18th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
rock solid…… GGGYEAAAAH!
short of
an old #1 WR
a #2 WR not utilized
Shaky O line at best
Questionable QB with 1 (out of how many?) decent year in a horrific division
No pass Rush
Lost #1 corner back.
our #1 LB is not getting AARP mail
RB can not find a hole for how many years?
the only thing rock solid is the division is horrible.
July 18th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Bring it on 2024! This is the best squad we have had since the early 2000s. Looking forward to November and December when the Talking Heads will all of the sudden take credit for predicting how well the Buccaneers would do. Lol.
Go, Bucs….
July 18th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
@Sly Pirate
Dropping knowledge again.
Nice.
July 18th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
Mayfield has “ street cred” with those who understood what happened to Baker in Cleveland. He was the best thing that happened to the reincarnated Browns. Unfortunately, he played for the most screwed up professional sports franchise in the history of ever. Injuries, chaoitic coaching changes, and the world’s dumbest signing of a QB who was never going to play another down for Houston. The Browns gave up 3 1st round picks and more for Watson who has been not even a marginal player in the last several years. Ancient Joe Flacco outperformed anything that Watson did post suspension or pre 2023 injury. Mayfield will easily outperform Watson in 2024 and as usual The Browns management will be scraping egg off their faces. Moreover, the Bucs will go deeper in the playoffs than Browns.
July 18th, 2024 at 7:13 pm
Boss, Go to bed now! You are Drunk again!!
July 18th, 2024 at 8:33 pm
Boss says Boss of 1st class Bullsh!!t
July 18th, 2024 at 11:13 pm
Man, I can’t wait to see this team in the playoffs come January of next year 🏴☠️
July 19th, 2024 at 12:58 am
Let’s not be too critical of someone who enjoys beverages at night. Even if they cause grey hair,
July 19th, 2024 at 1:51 am
Rock solid? That pass defense was pretty bad and we actually lost a starting corner. Then drafted a nickel. We lost 2 starting super bowl linebackers. The running game was non existent and we drafted a 3rd down back. There is no talent in the TE room at all and no threat of it in the future. No star rusher. The strength of the team are an aging and an injury plagued WR room rounded out by “potential” guys. It’s all lead by an improvisional and inconsistent QB who hasn’t put 2 good back to years together in his 4 team career.
The division is bad though. Any team with an average defense that gets a full season of competent veteran play takes it. Not sure we are that team.
July 19th, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Todd will fix the offense, the defense, and special teams. As Head Coach, it’s his job to. His career future is riding on all three.
#AsToddEvolves 11-6 25ppg Unconfused players